Vance Joseph – December 21, 2016
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Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph
(You guys held RB LeSean McCoy in check last time around. You would surely welcome the same effort this time around, right?) – “Absolutely. Obviously, last time he wasn’t 100 percent. He only played half the downs. It was an overall good effort. He had about what, 47 yards rushing? But he makes a difference. It’s different with him. He’s the best ‘make-you-miss’ back in the entire league. So 47 yards for him, that’s kind of wishful thinking that it’s going to be the same. He makes a difference.”
(What is the key this week? Obviously, we ask you every week about the run defense. The stats really haven’t changed.) – “Right. Well, the key is setting the edge. It’s an outside-running team. It’s an outside-running style that ‘Shady’ (LeSean McCoy) has. Setting the edge, gap integrity, swarm tackling is going to be key. He’s going to make guys miss. We have to hustle to the ball and get a bunch of hats to the ball.”
(When you say RB LeSean McCoy is the best ‘make-you-miss’ back in the league, what is it about his running style exactly that can kind of get defenders off balance?) – “Well, he’s got great feet. Great feet; great instincts. The first guy never gets him. That’s okay. Again, you need bodies around this guy, because he’s going to make guys miss. He’s fearless. He’s a great bounce runner. He kind of sucks you in and bounces outside and takes the edge. So it’s going to be a challenge.”
(Now when you say he’s a good bounce runner, does that also go into his ability to kind of set up his blockers as well?) – “Absolutely. He’s very, very patient. He has great vision. Again, it can be an inside running play, he kind of sells it, he can feel the edge being softened and he can kind of bounce it. Even though the play is designed to go inside, he can bounce it and bring it outside. I’m not sure his coaches know where he’s going to go. That’s dangerous for us.”
(A couple things on the linebacker corps. Obviously LB Kiko Alonso has had a very good year. How has he done against the run? And also, how tough has it been to have this makeshift group keep it together with LB Jelani Jenkins hurt, LB Koa Misi out for the year and now Kiko?) – “I think Kiko’s done well against the run. Again, the rushing stats or numbers, I think they’re important in some aspects; but the last month and a half, it’s been okay. I’m fine if we play 79 snaps and they rush for 120 yards, because rushing yards doesn’t always equal to points. It equals to burning the clock, and that’s fine with me. Passing yards is where the points are scored. So I’m fine with where we are in rushing defense. I wish we were top five, but I’m happy we’re winning. That’s more important than having great rushing stats. The linebacker group, it’s been a work in progress. Losing Koa, losing Jelani for half the season basically and having ‘Spence’ (Spencer Paysinger) and ‘Nev’ (Neville) Hewitt fill in. So it’s been a work in progress, but all of those kids have been good at filling in. It’s been a good group. It’s tough when you don’t have the same guys playing every week. That makes it tough. But who cares? No one cares. We have to go play.”
(Your Pro Bowl picks, I’d like to ask you about them separately. Your reaction seeing DE Cameron Wake selected, with the long road he’s taken to get back to this point.) – “Obviously, Cam had a horrific injury last year. He missed half the season, came back and worked hard in the offseason. He had a great camp and didn’t make his first start until Week 5. He’s had a great year. He’s had 4.5 sacks called back. He’s got 10 (sacks) with 4.5 called back, so he would be the leader in the NFL for sacks. Outside of that, Cam’s been a great leader. He’s been a great example for our young kids and that’s important. (Ndamukong) Suh has had a dominant year. Sometimes being an inside guy, his stats don’t reflect that; but for us, he’s been a dominant force. For coaches voting, for players voting, watching the tape, they know what he’s meant to our defense. Again, that being said, he’s been a great teammate. He’s been a great leader in the locker room. He’s been a great person. So that’s important also.”
(Is it as simple to say that if you guys control RB LeSean McCoy, you have a chance to win. If you don’t, you don’t. Is that too simple?) – “Absolutely not. They’re averaging 168 a game in rushing, 5.5 yards a carry, so it obviously goes through ‘Shady;’ but what makes it more difficult – if it was only ‘Shady’ it would be okay – it’s the quarterback. That’s an element that you can’t account for in the NFL because you see it twice a year. So if it was only ‘Shady,’ it would be an easier task; but when you bring the element of option football with Tyrod Taylor, that makes it tough. And ’35,’ (Mike Gillislee) the backup kid, is running the ball really well also. It’s obviously ‘Shady,’ but it’s the overall offense and who’s running the football makes it tough also.”
(I’m sure it wasn’t the plan to play CB Xavien Howard 68 snaps on Saturday. How did he handle that responsibility and also how was he after the game, coming off that injury?) – “He handled it well. Going into the game, we were hoping to play him 15 snaps and obviously, Byron Maxwell went down early, and he played 68 snaps and he played very well. That’s why he was drafted as a second-round player. He’s tall and long. He’s got great movement. He’s got a great demeanor about him. He’s kind of a relaxed, too laid back of a person; but that helps sometimes being a young corner. He just kind of plays. He was over Brandon Marshall for most of the night and it didn’t affect him at all. He did his job. He played leverage, he played technique and he did a fine job. He’s fine this week. He’s ready to go if ‘Max’ can’t go. He’s ready to go every snap.”
(You mentioned CB Xavien Howard’s relaxed demeanor. He was in trail technique a couple of times and as you said, he didn’t panic. One thing he did in particular, he kind of nudged the elbow of WR Brandon Marshall. A lot of times, that isn’t called. Is that kind of something that you guys teach a little bit?) – “Not really. His college tape, he was the best I’ve seen in years with playing the deep ball by not panicking. So what I saw Saturday night, that’s what we drafted him upon. So I wasn’t surprised he did that. Obviously, Brandon was grabbing him, pulling him through. So he was in trail most of the time on those deep balls; but he never panics. That’s a trait that young corners don’t have all the time. He has it naturally. So it was fun to see that trait come out Saturday night.”
(You guys obviously asked DE Cameron Wake to sacrifice at the beginning of the season and now, you’re reaping the benefits. Who else on your defense has made sacrifices to get you guys to where you are?) – “Well, I would think, obviously Cam. It was more of trying to preserve Cam for the majority of the season. So obviously Cam wanted to start; but we thought at the time, we thought he wasn’t ready to start and play 50 snaps a game. So Cam sacrificed a lot. Most of our veteran players – Cam, (Ndamukong) Suh, Mario (Williams), Andre (Branch), Jason Jones – all of those guys have given up a lot. We’ve got a young, young, young defense. So those guys have set an example for our guys. They’ve worked hard every day, even injured and hurt. Cam’s been sore and beat up. Obviously, Suh’s been sore and beat up. But they never complain and they show up every day. Obviously Cam – speaking of Cam – he’s sacrificed a lot. He’s probably sacrificed three more sacks because he would have been starting the first four games. He’d probably have 15 sacks right now with four called back. So he’s sacrificed the most, in my opinion. But our veteran players have all been great team guys this year. It helps.”
(Every week in the NFL, you see defensive ends and guys rushing up field on third-and-long, and then back sneaks out, screen pass. But you guys did a very good job of making sure that help is covered and making sure that you guys were aware of the backs. Is that something that you saw in film last week that you monitored and studied up?) – “Absolutely. Any time it is third-and-long, you have to have a mindset of screen game or check down. Our guys, again, they’re unselfish guys. Most guys want the sack on third-and-12, third-and-13; but our guys are very aware of the check downs, very aware of the screen game. Even last week, it was still tough last week with (Bilal) Powell because he’s such a good player. He caught it in space and made guys miss and got first downs early on in the ball game. But our guys are very aware of the screen, the check down game. That’s part of being not selfish as far as pass rushers. That’s tough to find in the league.”
(You spoke of DT Ndamukong Suh being a great person, a great leader this year. His teammates have said he’s been more of a leader this year in terms of speaking more. Was that a conversation you or Head Coach Adam Gase had with him in the offseason encouraging that?) – “Yes, because he asked what more can he do to help us win. We told him being a leader, because he does things right. Sometimes guys who are doing things right, sometimes they’re kind of on their own doing it right, and that helps us win also. But having a young football team, he had to be more vocal. He had to spread his wisdom to Jordan (Phillips) and those guys more often than he has in the past. So he’s been great at that. He’s a constant professional as far as taking care of his body, as far as how he studies. His football IQ is very high. So the more he shares with those young kids, the better they’re going to be in the future.”
(Have you seen DT Ndamukong Suh [sharing his wisdom] in action with some young players? Because him and DT Jordan Phillips ran out together on their player introduction the other day. It seems like it is rubbing off.) – “Absolutely. He’s been great with Jordan. He’s been great with Nick (Williams) and the room. It’s a veteran room for the most part, but Jordan is kind of the young guy in the room that needs guidance, and he’s been great with Jordan. Jordan is going to be a great player in the future. But he needs support from Suh. He needs a guy to kind of mentor him through this process.”
(The Dolphins are 0-4 in their last four trips to Buffalo. I know that doesn’t necessarily affect this game, but are players aware of things like that? And the team on the upper half, does it give them an edge and the team on the lower half, does it get in their minds?) – “I think our team right now wouldn’t be aware of that because we kind of preach that this team has never lost to Buffalo in Buffalo. This is a new team. They’re a new team. Every team we play, it’s a new opportunity for us. I would be surprised if guys knew that. Obviously, if they read it in your guys’ column, they’ll figure it out (laughter), but I would be shocked if they knew that. And I would be shocked if they cared. At this point, we’re playing with a great belief right now as far as the entire team. I think we’re confident. We’re going to work all week and give it our best shot on Saturday, so I would be shocked if they knew that and they wouldn’t care if they did.”
(Given the fact that this is your first year as a defensive coordinator, how much personally would it mean to you to make the playoffs?) – “It would mean a lot. I think for the entire team, the process, because when you’re a new staff, it’s tough to preach your process without success. Success allows the players to believe your process. You can have a great plan – a great process – and if they never win with it, why would a player believe it? So going forward for this entire football club, I think it’s important to win and have success because we’re going to be better in the future, obviously. But it’s important for players to know the process works. So going forward next year, we’re not selling the process. ‘Guys, you know it works. So let’s get better with the process.’ Adding pieces we need and adding more knowledge and more work. So the process helps you in the future, kind of sell the dream.”
(What was going through your mind on that play last week when DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Cameron Wake went unblocked?) – “I didn’t see it. I was watching the coverage and I kind of heard it a little bit. (laughter) That’s rare you turn both guys loose. It was a down where Suh was playing defensive end, so it kind of freaked the offensive line out because we were now split with our double-A (gap) look and Suh is usually our three-technique to the offense’s right, but he was the end to their left. So I think he freaked them out and they kind of squeezed it all. And they turned Cam and Suh loose. That’s too bad for the quarterback.” (laughter)
(We haven’t talked much this year about DT Earl Mitchell. He made a play in that game the other day that caused a 7-yard loss. He wasn’t credited for the tackle but he disrupted everything. What do you remember about that play and what does that say about Mitchell?) – “Earl is a guy that’s quiet but he plays so hard with so much effort. His best play of the night, to me, was the screen play. He kind of ran (Bilal) Powell down from the back after that. So he plays with great effort, and he’s a great example for Jordan (Phillips), because Jordan also plays hard. But Earl, his effort is off the charts. He’s probably the guy on our defense that plays the hardest all the time. It’s never a lack of effort with Earl. That’s a trait that most guys don’t have because if you play 30 snaps, all you get are 30 snaps, that’s rare. But he does it. He’s always been that way and that’s Earl’s positive for our defense.”
(LB Jelani Jenkins said that he had trouble slowing down and that he and (Linebackers Coach) Matt Burke talked at halftime and he would be used only as needed. Do you have any hope of having him again this season? What’s your feeling?) – “We’re hopeful. He’s been beat up an awful lot this year. He tried to go for us last week because he knew Kiko (Alonso) was kind of in between going. So he tried to go for us. He just couldn’t do it. But you commend him for trying and rehabbing all week and having his knee drained and all of those things. He tried to go but he just couldn’t finish for us. I’m not sure (if we will have him again this season) and hopefully we’re playing longer than two weeks and he can come back and help us win.”
(With WR Sammy Watkins back in the lineup, is there anything that you kind of take a note of in Buffalo’s offense since he’s been back in the fold?) – “Well, Sammy, he’s a great player. He’s a big, fast receiver. He’s the No. 1 guy. He’s no different than a Julio Jones, one of those guys. Obviously, on third downs and on critical pass downs, we have to make sure we take care of Sammy. It’s apparent on tape. He’s on the field; he’s the primary target.”
(Are you expecting CB Byron Maxwell this week? Is it 50/50? What would say it is?) – “It’s 50/50. Yesterday was more of a jog-through. Today is more of a real practice. So we’ll see. We’re hopeful for him to practice on (Thursday) and kind of give us an idea of where he’s at tomorrow.”
(Do you guys have a practice [Thursday] or is that just a walkthrough?) – “Well it’s a practice. There’s practice on (Thursday). So we’ll see where’s he’s at on (Thursday).”
(How often would you say you guys have lined up DT Ndamukong Suh at defensive end?) – “Probably, I think the entire season probably about 20 times. And again, it’s weekly. It’s weekly because he draws so much attention and it is tough when you have Cam and Suh on the same side. It makes it easy for the offense to turn everybody and block them. As we go forward, we have to do more of that stuff to kind of give him a chance to get one-on-ones and to avoid getting our two best rushers blocked with four guys. So going forward, we’re going to do more of that.”
Cameron Wake – December 20, 2016 (Pro Bowl)
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Defensive End Cameron Wake (Pro Bowl Quote Sheet)
(What does the honor of being selected to the Pro Bowl by fans, coaches and fellow players mean to you?) – “In my opinion, being selected to the Pro Bowl is the highest honor, specifically because it is selected by people you play against and people you play for. It shows they respect the way you play, how you play the game, and I’m truly honored to represent the Miami Dolphins in this year’s Pro Bowl.
(Is this Pro Bowl more meaningful based on what you had to overcome in returning from such a serious injury) – “Aside from the first one, this one is probably the most meaningful, especially because of the situation that happened last year being cut short and having to work tremendously hard all the way from last December until now. To be able to be back on the field and help my team win, it means a lot to me. It shows all the hard work, the late nights, all the pain and suffering makes it all worthwhile. I know my family and support system – the people who got me through all the hard times – really appreciate this honor.”
(What does it say about this team that two players on the defensive line were selected to the Pro Bowl?) – “From Day 1, we knew that this defense was going to rely heavily on the guys up front, the guys getting after it. The reality is we wouldn’t be able to do our job without the guys in the back end and the guys covering, the linebackers making plays. I think this truly is an honor that everybody takes part in, not just myself and (Ndamukong) Suh, but all the guys who make it possible to make plays on Sundays, from the coaching staff, to the guys on offense playing hard and practicing to make it difficult for us so that Sundays we all can succeed. This is not just on a couple guys; this is everybody putting in energy and effort. I just happen to be one of the guys that made the plays.”
Ndamukong Suh – December 20, 2016 (Pro Bowl)
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh (Pro Bowl Quote Sheet)
(What does the honor of being selected to the Pro Bowl by fans, coaches and fellow players mean to you?) – “It’s always an honor to be selected to the Pro Bowl. I will always take great pride of the respect and acknowledgement from the coaches and peers, but nothing beats knowing that you have the fan’s support.“
(What makes this Pro Bowl selection different or more special than the others in your career?) – “Again, it’s the fans. Knowing that they support your efforts day-in and day-out and showing up like they do on game day means everything. Having them vote to represent the team is something special.“
(How meaningful is it that DE Cameron Wake will be joining you, especially with the injury he had to overcome?) – “It’s always great to enjoy the Pro Bowl festivities with your teammates on offense or defense; but it’s even more special to have a fellow defensive lineman on the team that you play with, especially a guy of Cam’s caliber. He overcame what most consider to be a career-ending injury. That’s the biggest comeback I’ve ever seen.“
Ndamukong Suh – December 20, 2016
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh
(How has your team changed from the last time you played these guys? What’s the biggest difference?) – “I think we understand our focus and what we need to do to win games. That (game against Buffalo) was at the very beginning of it, when we were going against them. As you grow as teams and as weeks go by, if you’re doing well, you’re finding other ways to win. You’re figuring out your weaknesses and making sure that you are not allowing them to become weaknesses, or continue to be weaknesses, more or less.”
(RB LeSean McCoy is one of the most productive backs in the NFL this year. You guys have struggled against the run most of the season, how do you address that in this particular game?) – “It’s simple: tackle. He’s an elusive back, and he’s a guy that is very hard to get down; but we have to find ways to tackle, and really just go from there.”
(So you think that, that’s the issue? The tackling has been the issue this season?) – “It’s getting him down, which is a form of tackling.” (Laughter)
(Tonight the Pro Bowl selections are coming out. What would it mean to you to get selected, and would it be any different given that you didn’t make it last year? Would it be extra special?) – “It’s always an honor to be seen as a Pro Bowler from your peers, and the fans – as well as the coaches. So, if I’m lucky enough to be a part of it, I’ll take it, and go from there.”
(Is their offense, does it all revolve around RB LeSean McCoy, or do they switch it up?) – “I think it all revolves around their run game, which predominantly starts with him. But, also their quarterback is a part of that as well. I think overall, their running back corps, including the quarterback, is really the main focus to starting the engine of their offense. Then, obviously, they move into the passing game in certain situations, and going from there.”
(DE Mario Williams was talking about how together this team is. Even though he’s banged up, he’s like ‘I don’t care, I do my role.’ What is it about this staff and this team that these special games in December are able to happen?) – “I think we put our minds together to focus and understand what we need to do, especially after having a rough start. Everybody’s played their parts. That’s what it’s about. This is the ultimate team game, and every guy has got to be in their right positon and do their particular job, and things should move in the right direction. Some situations it doesn’t always work out that way, as we felt earlier in the year. As of late, we’ve been feeling everybody is doing their job, doing it the right way, and we’ve reaped the benefits of that.
(How tough is it for the staff to make the moves … I mean they made some difficult decisions … They’re genuine though, these guys understand it. Is that rare?) – “I don’t really focus on those things. At the end of the day, I have to focus on what I have to do for this team to be successful. Whoever’s out there with me, I feel comfortable with them, as I’ve played with them all the way through camp, and through OTAs and what not. As long as you’ve been on the team, we don’t have really many new guys, so I feel comfortable with whoever’s out there.”
(A lot of defensive linemen, they get fooled into rushing up field, especially on third-and-long, and things of that nature. But you guys were playing extremely smart, recognizing some of the screens, snuffed out some of those screens. How were you guys able to do that? Was it a matter of film preparation? Was it something that you saw prior to the game?) – “What game are you speaking of?’
(The Jets) – “The Jets? I think at the end of the day, you watch film and you understand what teams want to do in certain downs, and down-and-distance. When they have telling things that they want to do, you recognize that, and you anticipate it; but at the same time, you play what you see.”
(Is it possible, that the Jets game was the best game that yourself and DE Cameron Wake have played as a tandem on the defensive line? Obviously, you were both very obvious making plays, one after the other.) – “I think this is really the only true year we’ve had the opportunity to play all games together. We haven’t finished the season, but he was only available for (seven) games last year, with obviously having an unfortunate incident, which I believe was in (Game 7). At the end of the day, Cam is very productive. I pride myself on being very productive and the defensive line realizes that we are resources where we have to be at. We go out there and be productive no matter what.”
(In all candor, was there ever a time after 6-10 last year and 1-4 this year where you thought ‘Am I going to win here? I’m used to winning some in Detroit.’ Was that ever a thought that you even wondered about?” – “It just comes down to hard work and understanding (you’ve) got to get the right people, the right schemes, and the right understanding of how to win games. I think you create a culture of that, and we’ve done that at the beginning of this year. It took a little bit of time for it to kick in, but it’s obviously kicked in, and we just have to continue to build off of that.”
Mario Williams – December 20, 2016
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Defensive End Mario Williams
(What feelings have been running through your head going up to Buffalo?) – “Win the game. That’s the biggest thing. We need to win one game at a time, no matter who the opponents are. I’m not the type of person to be hooting and hollering about anything else other than us winning the game.”
(Have you gotten comfortable with your role with this team yet?) – “Yes. Well, not really in the sense of: I’m used to being completely healthy and not having hiccups like that but it comes with the territory. It comes with the NFL. A lot of people have been asking what’s going on with my body, ankle, foot or whatever. I don’t want to know, so I can’t give anybody an answer. With the way things are going, the team is playing great. We definitely could be better. We’re definitely not satisfied with anything we’re doing until (it’s) 100 percent; but the biggest thing I can say is the camaraderie. It’s my 11th year (in the NFL) and I’ve never experienced anywhere in my 10 years. The biggest thing for me is just being able to go out there and just do what I can. The coaches, trainers, everybody knows the situation and what’s going on. So I just have to go out there and try to push it.”
(What makes this different, or this atmosphere different compared to the other 11 years?) – “That right there [players having a good time in the locker room]. You have guys that have fun, don’t get me wrong. Then you have guys, or teams with guys, that don’t have fun. But this, everything we do is fun. You’re into it. You look forward to playing for this coach, that coach, whatever – this player, that player. It’s not just two players, five players, 20 players. I can account for probably at least 35, 45 or 53, which is what you need. I think that’s why the feeling is so different, because everybody’s always around, besides guys who might have surgeries who aren’t around here. But everybody is … We’re all in it.”
(Is that why … this staff has made some pretty tough decisions throughout the year and veteran guys might be like ‘Dang,’ but everybody has accepted it) – “Yes, because I know at the end of the day I can trust ‘Coach T’ (Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams), ‘V.J.’ (Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph) and (Head Coach Adam) Gase. My biggest thing is that they are understanding. It’s one of those things that you have communication or a talk with somebody and you feel like, ‘Alright, I don’t understand what he’s saying. Or he doesn’t understand what I’m saying.’ But it’s just totally different. Across the board everybody is 100 and straight up with what’s going on in the situations. I think that’s why, not just myself, but a lot of guys are understanding how everything is rotating around and how things are going.”
(Do you think it might feel strange at all walking into that stadium on Saturday as a member of the visiting team?) – “It could be. I’d probably go into another locker in the situation, or another locker room. I’ve never even seen that (visiting) locker room; but other than that, like I said, just like everybody else and myself, we just want to win this one game. That’s all that really matters. There’s nothing else that can tie into it.”
(What can you do to improve the season that you’re having?) – “I’ve just got to keep pushing. At the end of the day, like I was saying earlier, I don’t know what’s what physically with the situation. I don’t want to know because I don’t want to be thinking about it more or whatever. But I’m just trying to find a way. That’s the biggest thing. Just keep pushing, just keep going. We’ve tried different things, obviously – not playing, playing. I’ve just got to keep going. Otherwise, it’s the end of it.”
(Did they ever think about maybe shutting you down?) – “I did. I didn’t play … What game was that?”
(I meant for the season.) – “No. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to do that. No matter what – the role or whatever – right now, I don’t want to … No, I don’t want to just bail out of that because … No, I’m not going to do that.”
(How do you rate your satisfaction level right now? Is it where the team success is the overriding thing?) – “Regardless, it is. You can ask me that any season if you were with me, it wouldn’t matter. I’m not a stat guy, personally. It could be … You could say I have a great year this year. You could say I had a bad year or whatever. If I had a good year and we won one game, that’s what matters. I’ve always said that. Stats are definitely somewhat representative of situations, but the atmosphere and what’s going on, that’s the most important thing.”
Adam Gase – December 20, 2016
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(CB Xavien Howard played 68 snaps Saturday. I’m sure that’s more than you anticipated. How did he respond afterwards?) – “He seems to be good. We didn’t have any setbacks. He looked good, at least from my perspective. We were happy that there wasn’t next day, (he didn’t) have any kind of issues. There’s nothing that came about it. I think we’re in a good spot with him.”
(What did CB Byron Maxwell’s MRI show?) – “We’re still looking at that right now as far as what we want to … kind of where we’re at. I haven’t really sat down with our guys. We’re just trying to figure out if we’re going to have the ability for him to go this week. So we’re working through that right now.”
(How about LB Jelani Jenkins? Are you optimistic that he can go?) – “I think it would be tough. It’s just, every game he’s trying to battle through things, and we just have to be careful putting him out there where he really can’t defend himself. We could obviously tell his change of direction wasn’t what it’s been in the past. I know he’s trying to give us everything he has and put the team first. We probably just have to be very careful with that.”
(The Pro Bowl announcement is tonight and I trust that’s the furthest thing from you mind, but which of your players do you think has played at a Pro Bowl level this season?) – “That’s hard for me to … it’s hard to say. I feel like so many guys have played at a high level. There’s a reason why we’re in the position we’re in right now with winning games, and especially the last nine games. For me to stand on the table for just one guy, that would be hard to do because there has been so many guys on both sides of the ball and special teams that have done a great job. A lot of times, it’s really your peers is really what a lot guys do care about, to find out where other coaches and players feel like where they rank. I know guys feel like that’s an honor when they are selected.”
(How much does that matter to you when … especially in free agency, when you’re going after … If a guy has that Pro Bowl designation, does it make a difference?) – “It’s hard to rely a lot on that because when you do get voted in, in that first wave, I think there is something to that; but when the way that it kind of has gone – in the last I don’t even know how many years – where you have so many alternates going, it’s hard to really determine where really that value is and to say, ‘Hey that guy is a Pro Bowler.’ I don’t know how much you really weigh on that. You go so much off of film and really what you see and the production the guy has had over the years.”
(Regarding all of the big plays your team has been hitting. First, does it surprise you that you’ve hit so many this season? And second, are you seeing a change in the way people are defensing you because of that?) – “I don’t think it surprises me, just considering the skill guys we have. We do have some speed on the outside and DeVante (Parker)’s a bigger body that can go down the field and go get balls and Kenny (Stills) has got unusual speed. I really haven’t had too many guys that can do what he does. That last game was a prime example. When Matt (Moore) threw that ball, I wasn’t sure really if (Stills) was going to get there; but he took it to another gear. You can actually see it on the film of he’s rolling pretty good, but when he saw that ball up in the air, he went and really accelerated on that. We’ve had some run-after-catch as well. Jarvis (Landry) has created some explosive plays on some short throws. It has been a little mix of everything and I think guys have done a good job as far as when they have an opportunity to make plays, we’ve made them. We’ve missed out on a couple at the same time, but the quarterbacks have done a good job of giving our guys a chance to go get the ball.”
(In takeaway/giveaway differential, you’re plus-5. I think over the last nine games, you’re plus-11. What does that allow you to do as a coach? Does that give you comfort? Does that allow you to say, ‘I know we’ll produce a turnover,’ or how do you use that?) – “I think every team is trying to accomplish the same thing, and that’s get turnovers and protect the football. That’s really the starting point for all of us. When you do have a defense that seems to have a knack for getting the ball, creating short fields and really stealing a possession, that’s how you have to look at it. That’s ideal. When a team does get on a roll, you get flooded with them. When you go through those streaks where you don’t get as many, you really feel it, because the game has a different feel to it. On offense, it’s that unselfish mindset of being aware of where you’re at in traffic, how are you protecting the ball, what are you doing, what’s best for the team at the time. Sometimes you get towards the end zone and guys want to reach the ball out, and we’ve seen plenty of times when balls come out and you get touchbacks or turn the ball over. I feel like our guys have done a good job of being mindful of holding onto the football and protecting it. At the same time, when a ball has gone on the ground – you saw last week – we put a ball on the ground, but we had four guys around the ball. That’s what you want. These guys, they’re pursuing the ball.”
(We talked since the spring about the transition from tackle to guard, guard to tackle. C/G Kraig Urbik is swinging between guard and center. What are some of the challenges of those two positions inside?) – “You’re controlling everything when you’re at center. You’re the starting point, and there’s a lot of communication that goes on. You’re dealing with both sides of the line. When you’re at guard, you’re really focused more on what what’s going on, on your particular side. There’s a lot more on his plate. You have to think very quickly. When the quarterback does change something, that changes what you’re doing, and you have to have a response to him very quickly. There’s not a lot of time. When the quarterback changes something on you, usually it’s very low on the shot clock, and you have to move quickly.”
(How did C/G Kraig Urbik do?) – “He did a good job. Anytime that you get a guy that hasn’t done it a ton and gets thrown out there, that’s really the first thing that you’re looking for, ‘How was the communication up front?’ And then you go to the next stage of that, which is protection, run game – those types of things. He did a good job.”
(What can you tell us about LB Trevor Reilly – who you signed yesterday – and what he can bring?) – “We felt like he was a guy that would fit into our program and contribute, whether it be on defense or special teams. He was a good fit for us. Our personnel guys are always looking throughout the league and seeing if there’s anybody that could fit into what we’re doing this late in the season. We felt like he was a guy that could help us out.”
(In the run game, C Mike Pouncey hasn’t been there, I guess, the last five weeks. RB Jay Ajayi’s yards per carry has gone down. I know one man isn’t responsible, but is that a big hole in the run game not having C Mike Pouncey there?) – “Anytime you lose one of the best players in football at their position, it’s never easy to replace that guy. We all have to do a good job of stepping up. We have to do a good job as far as what our scheme is. We want Jay to consistently do what he has been doing, and he hasn’t changed one thing that he has done. We don’t want him to get frustrated, because we haven’t quite got the results we’ve been looking for. He has stuck with what we’ve been telling him, which is big for him to do, because it’s easy to go off on your own and try to gain yards on your own, but we need him to consistently do what he has been doing. We need everybody to keep doing their job. We’ve run into some tough defenses. That’s not one of those things that’s a hidden secret. We’ve got another one ahead of us this week, and I’m sure they’re going to be ready to do whatever they can to stop the run. Rex (Ryan) has always done a great job as far as making sure his guys are ready to go. That’s going to be the No. 1 priority. They’re going to try to stop the run and make us one-dimensional. That’s what most teams have tried to do to us throughout the last nine games.”
(RB Jay Ajayi is obviously still running hard. Do you think his body has held up as well now as it was earlier, where you could rely on him for 20-plus carries if you have to like the 200-yard games that he had?) – “He does a good job of making sure that he’s maintaining his health. He does a lot of things extra. He has taken some big shots, but he’s built for this. He’s a big man. When you stand next to him, and you realize how thick he is, he’s a strong guy. That’s how he runs. He’s a physical runner; but at the end of the day, that’s what he has been doing. This is his job, and he understands the impact he’s going to take. I think that’s the part of the game that he likes.”
Mario Williams – December 20, 2016 (Conference Call)
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Defensive End Mario Williams Conference Call
(Any thoughts about making a trip to a familiar place up here in Buffalo and facing your former team?) – “Not really. It’s not like … We played the first time already. I think the biggest thing is, my only thoughts that are going through my mind as well as everybody else’s is just trying to win one game.”
(Bills CB Nickell Robey-Coleman says they are a better team than you and they’re going to prove it Sunday. What do you think of that?) – “I don’t think anything of it.”
(What has the experience been like for you playing on a team now that is contending for a playoff spot?) – “The first and foremost things that I have experienced here is the players, the coaches, just the camaraderie and everybody being open and just having fun. I think the biggest thing is buying into the whole situation – the whole scheme – and just having fun with it and just getting after it. Like I said, it all boils down to just trying to win one game.”
(Is that to suggest that maybe it wasn’t fun last year? Or that people weren’t buying into everything?) – “No, I’m not suggesting that. I can’t suggest stuff for anybody else or even anything in the past.”
(Is it any different there? You seem to be upbeat about your situation in Miami. Is it any different there than it was in Buffalo?) – “Here in Miami, the biggest thing is it’s just a great atmosphere. It starts from the top to the bottom with our coaching staff all the way down to our players. We really enjoy coming into work every day and we enjoy being around each other and going out there and practicing and everything else that goes with it.”
(What can you put your finger on as to why your production hasn’t been maybe where it was in the past?) – “I think the biggest thing is starting off in the year, I had a concussion. I had this and that. I had certain things come up and dealing with things now, just like everybody does. That’s on me. At this point, I’m kind of in a position to where I have to push through to get out there and mix it up and try to help the other defensive ends and so forth – the defense – as far as going out there and playing a football game right now. It’s something that everybody has to deal with certain things throughout the season and this is just the situation I’m in.”
(How do you expect fans in Buffalo to react when you go on the field for the first time?) – “I have no idea. My biggest thing is I can’t expect anything or point my finger on what anybody’s going to do. That’s not me.”
(It seems that maybe you – you talked about it – you don’t feel that some of the personnel last year fit Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan’s scheme. Was there any rift between the two of you?) – “I can’t really recall any of that as far as a rift or whatever, because that situation is in the past, and I moved on from that a long, long time ago.”
(Is there any part of you going into this game … As you said, it’s important to get the one win, but a win here would eliminate the Bills from playoff contention, and whether you’re aware of it or not, Rex’s job is very uncertain. Would you take any pride in contributing to that – knocking the Bills out of it and possibly him out of a job?) – “No. I would take more pride in winning the game for us, for the Dolphins fans, for this organization, for the players who come out here and put in work. I’ve seen it with my own eyes the dedication that they’ve put into this whole thing. That’s’ the only thing I would like to see.”
(How excited are you at the prospect of playing a playoff game for the first time? How motivated are you by that possibility?) – “I’m motivated just as much as I would say I’m motivated to go to the playoffs the first game of the year, because in order for us to get there, we have to win the game we have right now. We have to take care of this one game, no matter who the opponent is. Like I said before, we want to win this one game and so do I.”
(What do you miss the most about Western New York?) – “I can’t really say. I’m engulfed in Miami and engulfed in what we’re doing down here.”
(So you’ve just cut Buffalo out of your mind? Any different than you would have when you left Houston?) – “Say that again?”
(So Buffalo is no more part of your life any more than what Houston was when you were with the Texans?) – “I can’t say that, but you’re asking me this question right now during football season. That’s not a time to sit there and think about something else. It’s like (asking), ‘How many ex-girlfriends have you had?’ Are you going to tell your girlfriend that? (laughter) ‘I miss that girl. I miss this girl.’ Come on, man.” (laughter)
(How many of the guys here do you keep in touch with?) – “Jerry (Hughes) and Marcell (Dareus) for the most part. Every now and then, I get a chance to talk to them and talk about life. Jerry and Marcell, they talk about their children and things like that.”
(You’re on the other side, but what do you make of the season. I don’t know how familiar you are with LB Lorenzo Alexander and what he has done for the Bills pass rush.) – “I have no clue.”
Matt Moore – December 20, 2016
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Quarterback Matt Moore
(What is it like to know you control your own destiny?) – ”That keeps the message simple. We’re just focused on one week at a time. That’s the message again this week. We’re in here and working to win one game. That’s kind of the mentality we’ve had. I’m sure it’s the mentality we’ll keep.”
(You’ve been here long enough to have a Rex Ryan team ruin your season. Are you familiar with all of those opportunities that he’s played spoiler?) – “I’m sure if you bring them up, I can recall; but, that’s this league. The league is competitive. Anybody can ruin or make a season at any time. Again, we’re focused on ourselves and working to get better for this week.”
(What did you learn about yourself in that last start – your first start in five years?) – “It’s been awhile and you can go out and still play and execute and make the plays that need to be made. There was some good stuff. There was some stuff to learn from. Stuff like that.”
(What surprised you about that game last week?) – “I don’t know. I felt pretty good. We were pretty prepared. I don’t know if anything really surprised me.”
(You had former Dolphins RB Larry Csonka tweeting about you Saturday night, drawing comparisons to the perfect season team when QB Earl Morrall came to the rescue. Are you too young to be flattered by it?) – “I know enough about it and that’s obviously a nice comment, for sure. That’s pretty cool.”
(Was there a part of your game where you felt more of the rust than any other part of your game?) – “Maybe early on. I think we completed the first ball but we started a little slow, I think. I wish that wasn’t the case, but we kind of got into a rhythm there, I think in the second quarter.”
(So mentally there was no rust?) – “I really felt good. (It’s a) credit to the coaches for the preparation and practice. I really felt good. The guys around … The guys on the offense were doing a good job executing so it went pretty smooth.”
(This team hasn’t had a lot of success in Buffalo. I think the last time you won there was the 2011 season. What do you remember about that game and why is it so hard to win up there?) – “It was snowing that game, I remember that. You’re right. Somebody just told me that today, it’s been awhile. Look, it’s a competitive division. That’s a tough place to play. It comes down to execution. In the past, we haven’t executed very well. Hopefully that’s not the case this time.”
(It’s been kind of a road block for you guys. In 2013, if you beat them, you’re in the playoffs. Would it be all the more rewarding to get through them to get into the playoffs?) – “Again, it’s a one week at a time mentality. We’re not worried about the past; not worried about the future. We’re worried about right now.”
(How do you assess where this team is in terms of big-play capability?) – “Well, we had a couple of them the other night so I think the opportunities are there whenever. Again, it comes down to execution. When you get the chances to take those shots, we have to hit them. I think we have the guys that can make those plays and hopefully we see more of that.”
(How much has the respect-the-run factor, when they stack a bunch of people up there, allow for the big play?) – “Credit that to the o-line and the guys running the ball. They want to load the box and it only gives the guys outside better opportunities. That’s a big part.”
(Is there a key to throwing an efficient and effective deep ball?) – “I have no idea. I don’t know. You have to have the right coverage and the right matchup and let it go. If you’re talking mechanics, I’m sure there is; but I can’t break that down for you.”
(You seem to put a lot more air under the ball…) – “I’m sure a lot of coaches will tell you that. ‘Give them more air and it gives the receiver time to adjust.’ That’s all I’ve got for that.”
(Do you expect Buffalo to do anything crazy different, or Head Coach Rex Ryan just does what he does?) – “He’s always had good teams – good defenses. They’re going to have a package, I’m sure, that they’re going to believe in and they’re going to execute it well. Then again, it falls on us to execute and answer. (He’s a) good coach (and they have a) good defense.”
(How do you like the fans up there?) – “The fans? They love their ball up there. It’s awesome. It’s a great atmosphere. It always has been.”
(I imagine your phone must have lit up on Saturday night. What was the message that had the most special part in your heart? Like is there somebody who reached out that you hadn’t heard from in a long time?) – “There was a lot. It was good to hear from old coaches. (Former Oregon State Head Coach) Mike Riley texted me, which was nice. My old high school coach (Dean Herrington) texted me, which was pretty cool. Then, obviously, friends and family and everybody was excited, so it was good.”
(Did you get to talk to former Dolphins and Jets QB Chad Pennington on Saturday? He was at the game.) – “I did not. I heard he was at the game but I didn’t get a chance to see him.”
(You’ve been around TE Dion Sims for a while. Is he the same player he was when he arrived or how has he improved? Where have you seen the progression?) – “I think just all around, he’s gotten better. He was put into some positions last week, obviously, where he could make some plays; and that was good. But the guy is a grinder. He works, so it is no surprise that he’s only getting better and is going to get better.”
